BBC reporter Jonathan Jurejko:
You can’t overstate how amazing it is to be able to watch some of the game’s all-time greats practise on the outside courts at Wimbledon in the second week.
“OMG! It’s Rafa!”
“What’s he doing here?”
“Why watch him from miles away on Centre when you can watch him this close!”
That’s a selection of the chat from the court nine crowds which are five or six deep. Those arriving barely able to believe their eyes when they see the 18-time Grand Slam champion.
Here are some photos from today’s practice session.
Rafael Nadal is escorted to a practice session on day ten of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during a practice session on day ten of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 11, 2019 Spain’s Rafael Nadal during practice REUTERS/Carl Recine
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 11, 2019 Spain’s Rafael Nadal during practice REUTERS/Carl Recine
Rafael Nadal during a practice session on day ten of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during a practice session on day ten of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal takes part in a practice session on day ten of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 11, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal ties his shoe laces on day ten of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal ties his shoe laces on day ten of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Detail of Rafael Nadal of Spain shoes during a practice session during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Image ref 10332127P. Copyright Rex Shutterstock No reproduction without permission. Please see http://www.rexfeatures.com for more information.
Rafael Nadal with coach Francisco Roig during a practice session on day ten of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
Photo: Rafa Nadal Academy Twitter
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Detail of a racquet during Rafael Nadal of Spain practice session during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: General view of Court 7 as Rafael Nadal of Spain practices during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Image ref 10332127Q. Copyright Rex Shutterstock No reproduction without permission. Please see http://www.rexfeatures.com for more information.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal takes part in a practice session on day ten of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 11, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in practice during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in practice during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in practice during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in practice during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) speaks with coach, Francisco Roig in a practice session during Day Ten of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal chooses balls during a practice session on day ten of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 11, 2019. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 11, 2019 Spain’s Rafael Nadal during practice REUTERS/Carl Recine
For 20 minutes on a practice court on Thursday morning one could almost hear the Nadal brains trust ticking over as the two-times champion metronomically hit one sliced backhand after another, skimming the net and directed to the corners, where he hopes to pin Federer and force his 37-year-old knees to dip repeatedly on the wearing turf. (via The Guardian)
Rafael Nadal-you assuaged all doubts when you won FO🏆nothing deterred you-next gen, legend or
windstorm. All the best on Friday-we are there with you. We know your passion and will to win are on fire🔥👏💪👍🤛🍀❤️
Rafa, wish you courage, strength, super tactics, self confidence, belief in yourself and every bit of success and luck!!! 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Carry on playing as you have been playing and even a notch or two higher!!
You can do it!!!!!!!
Go, go, go
VAMOS!!!!
🍀🍀❤️❤️😘😘
All good wishes to you Rafa for a spectacular match against Roger.
Keep your spirits high and vamos!
I feel another Wimbledon Title!
Good luck Tags.
I wish someone out there will investigate this
Nick kyrgios admitted trying to hit Rafa with the ball last week. His reason —because he is jealous and thinks Rafa has too much money etc. if he’d have hit Rafa with that fast ball in the chest he could have killed him. I call that attempted murder. At least he should have been fined or punished some way. He is not fit for tennis.
BEAUTIFUL PRACTICE PHOTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE SO CUTE……AND SO PRECIOUS……AND SO HANDSOME……GOD BLESS YOU SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA AND VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) SO HAPPY FOR YOU 🙂 WE WATCHED YESTERDAY’S REPLAY …. THE ENTIRE MATCH…..AND IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE NOTICED HOW THE CROWD LOVES YOU AND RESPECTS YOU AND GAVE YOU A STANDING OVATION AS YOU ENTER THE STADIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE EVERYTHING YOU DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR FEISTY PRECIOUS MOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE NOTICED ALL YOUR TURNS AND POWER AND GORGEOUS EFFECTIVE SERVES AND SHARP STRIKING TIMELY ACES, MANY ACES……..CI…….CI……..CI……..REAL SHARP BEAUTIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AND JUST EVERYTHING WAS SO BRILLIANT………MAGICAL NET COVERAGE AND FAST FEET…..SPEED…..AND AND……AND…….CLASSY SHOTS FROM EVERYWHERE…..WE LOVE YOUR STRIKING SHARP BEAUTIES ON THE RUN………. FROM THE BASE LINE….AWAY FROM THE BASELINE……… ALL GORGEOUS, WELL PLACED WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WHAT WE LOVE SWEETHEART IS YOUR PRECIOUS FEISTY ENERGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE HOW YOU ARE SO ENTHUSIASTICALLY READY FOR EACH BALL…………CAN’T WAIT FOR THE BALL TO GET TO YOU TO PLAY YOUR RETURN…….YOUR ENTIRE BODY IS IN PRECIOUSLY GEARED UP READY TO HIT THE NEXT SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE HOW YOU DELIVER YOUR STRONG AGGRESSIVE GAME NO MATTER WHO YOU PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI………..WI……….WI……….AND CI…………CI………..CI…………VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HAVE A LOVELY FUN DAY AND A GREAT TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU DEAR RAFA AND AN FEEL YOUR PRECIOUS JOY AND BEAUTIFUL TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS BLISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR NEXT MATCH WILL BE GREAT FUN FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE BLESSED SWEETHEART AND GIFTED BEYOND WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE WILL BE ENJOYING EACH PRECIOUS POINT WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND SINGING LETS GO RAFA LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY ALL YOUR EXCEPTIONAL PRECIOUS TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ALL THE GREAT TIME YOU GIVE US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI……….CI………CI……..SENIOR SWEETHEART CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE LOVE LOVE HOW HAVE ZERO TO PROVE TO NO BODY AND LOVE HOW ALL YOUR BLESSED FOCUS AND BEAUTIFUL ENERGY ARE ON YOUR NEXT PRECIOUS POINT…….YOUR NEXT BALL…….YOUR NEXT PRECIOUS EFFECTIVE SERVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) KEEP GOING SWEETHEART YOU ROCK WITH YOUR EVERY PRECIOUS POINT YOU PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) INSIDE OUT BEAUTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) KEEP SMILING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) NOTHING …………….NADA……….NOTHING…………ELSE MATTERS…..ONLY YOUR NEXT PRECIOUS POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THAT IS YOUR PRECIOUS POWER…….THAT’S YOUR PRECIOUS INNER STRENGTH………..THAT IS YOUR BLESSED SPECIAL STYLE……….AND THE ONLY……..ONLY…….ONLY THING THAT MATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX VAMOS SWEETHEART WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Rafa my Champion you have this match in the bag already
I really believe in Rafa. Go for it <3
Vamos Rafael!!!!!!!!!!!
All the best tomorrow Rafa🍀💪❤️
That was what I said to my husband back in April of this year when we saw him at the hotel lobby, “OMG, it’s RAFA!”🤩😆
Suerte para mñn.. Tu sabes como hacerlo pues sois rivales d un clásico.. Estas jugando impresionante en hierba.. Quizas uno de tu mejor Winblendon.. Adlante y siempre contigo!!!!